Bench cot



Jan. 13, 1931. G. A. LAN-SBERRY ET AL 1,733,919

BENCH COT Filed Nov. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ma, fixpermn I y% 5 ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 13, 1931.

G. A. LANSBERRY ET AL 1,783,919

BENCH COT Filed Nov. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 29 ATTORNEYJ.

Patented Jan. 13, 1931 main unirsn STATES: rarsnr series GEORGE A. LANSBEBRY, or KANSAS CITY, rssounr, Ann LOUIS A. HARTMAN A D vrcron A. JAsPERsoN, or TOPEKA, KANSAS, ASSIGNORS TO THE AMERICAN eENc cor COMPANY, or TorEKA, KANSAS, a CORPORATION or KANSAS BENCH cor This invention relates to folding furniture and particularly to a novel device which may be termed a bench cot, and the primary object of the invention is the provision of a novelly constructed article having desirable features when the device is used either as a folding cot, bench, or table.

One of the objects of the presentinvention is to provide a bench cot or similar article of furniture which embodies new and novel means for supporting the flexible top when the same is in the operative position, which means incorporates an adjusting device operable by the user as heavy usage requires taking up slack caused by said usage or lending more positive support to the fiexlble top forming a part of a folding cot.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of novel reinforcing strips co-extensive with the canvas top of the folding cot, two of said reinforcing strips being stitched to the canvas along'th'e lower side thereof at theouter edges in such'a man-L her as to receive and distribute a greatp ortion of the weight when the cot is in use;

An even further object of this inyention is the contemplation of novel engaging nem hers which, when used in the construction of tliis'device performs a'number functions one of which is thefslidably supportingof; a

- novel continuous webbing strip which co-act with the above mentioned reinforcing strips to equalize the weight placedupon fthelcot ii yet further object of the present inyention is the provision of a combined bench and folding cot'having a series of hingedly inter-connected leaves adapted to lock the device against movement when theseries leaves are disposed in the operative position. Another, and one of themain objects of this invention is to provide a combined bench and folding cot which is strong and durable, inexpensive to manufacture and extremely e'ifici'e ntin its operation, means being provided through-out its construction forthe lending of strength and durability yet not appreciably adding to its bulk and weight. w

Many minor objects'wil'l appear during thecourse' of thedetailed specification refer ring to the accompanying drawings .wherein' but one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated. i 1 In the drawings:v l I Figure 1 is a side elevation of a combined bench and folding cot made in accordance with this invention showing the same in the open position and usable as a cot Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the same.

IFigt 3 is an edge viewof the combined bench and folding cot. showing the same in the closed positio I Fig. 4 is another edge view of the device showing the same partially extended and, locked in position to be used as a table.

. Fig. 5 is an 'enlargedfraginentary.detailed view taken through the articulated upper ends of the lazy tong bars,.and1

Fig. 6 is an end-view of the completely closed device as shownin Fig.3.."

With particular reference at thistime to the specific construction of, the novel'combined bench and folding cot illustrated in the acompanying drawing wherein like reference characters "refer to similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral. 8 indicates the well known lazy tong side frames of a folding cot which are made up of lazy tong bars 10 articulated as at 12 intermediate the ends of said bars 10 and as at 14 at the lower ends of the bars 10. The upper articulated ends of lazy tong barslO are pivotally secured together by a specially constructed eye bolt 16 having its eye disposed inwardly. The eyes of the set-of eye bolts 16 along one lazy tong side frame 8 pleasing appearance to the threaded end of eye bolt 16 which normally would be presented to view. Flexibletop 22 may be made the lower side of flexible top 22-adjacent the two edges. In stitching this strip 26 the outer line of stitching should be in the form of grommets 28 which secure the outer edges of strip 26 and flexible top 22'together. If desired, a line of stitching such as shown at 30 may also be provided. After the groin mets have been set or the stitching alongthe outer edge has been done, the inner line of stitching 30 should be placed only after a fullness has been caused to take place in the flexible top between these two lines of stitching. As shown in Fig. 5 this construction causes reinforcing strips 26 to bear against the ends of lazy tongv bars 10 and tobe stretched tightly around the top of the lazy tong side to engage eye bolts 16. In. this fashion weight upon the flexible top 22 which would normally cause the top to wear at this point is transmitted directly to this reinforcing strip 26.

As is customary in constructing folding deviceswherein the lazy tong principle is used, braces 32 are provided which. extend across from one set of lazy tong side frames to the other. It may also be desirable to interpose angle blocks 34 between these braces 32 and the lazy tong bars 10.

To even further reinforceflexible top 22 and to carry out one of the basic principles of this invention, the device is provided with a continuous webbing strip 36 which is threaded through eye bolts 16 to slidably engage the same and to join the two sets of lazy tong side frames in crosslaced fashion as shown in Fig. 2.

In threading this continuous webbing strip 36 through the eye bolts and across from side to side, a system .of threading similar to that shown in Fig. 2 should be followed, not necessarily however, but in order that the ends of the continuous webbing strip 36 might be in a position to be joined by a tension adjusting device 38 which in the instance shown is the. well known turnbuckle having right and left threads which permits drawing togetheror allowing the ends of continuous strip to be pulled apart as the same 'is'operated. Continuous webbing strip 36 is positioned beneath the longitudinally extending reinforcing strips 26 and when weight is placed upon flexible top 22 a bringing together of these elements just named distributes the weight through-out the entire structure in a manner which does not permit a strain to be imparted to any particular point through-outthe construction. This pointis highly advantageous in folding devices of this character and even after the device hasbeen used slack can be taken out of the continuous webbing strip 36 and the same moved to the properly adjusted sets as a housing for the upper end and completely obscures the flexible top 22.

It is obviousthat any number of leaves 40 might be hingedly inter-connected to form a suitable table top-to over-lie the lazy tongs when they-are extended as shown in Fig. 4. \Vhenth device is'used as a'cot these leaves 40 would belpositioned at the head as shown in Fig. 1. locking device is provided which may be made up of a hook ll carried by the lazy tong side frames atappropriate'points where the same may be moved into engagement with rings 46 carried by the outer-most edge of the last leaf 4L0 ofthe series. As shown in Figs. 1, 3andt one. of the leaves 40 of the series should be hingedly connected as at tS to the ends of the side frames 8. Through this construction and the proper positioning of the locking members, a table or the like such as shown'in Fig. l will be rigidly held together and the lazy tong sides 8 kept from extending or contracting while the device is in use. 7

While one specific form of the invention has been shown it is understood that many modifications might be made and various refinements added such as the locking bar 50, used to preclude closing of the lazy tong sides when the same-is in use as a cot, and many other devices not herein shown or mentioned.

The many uses and operation of the .device have been made clear throughout the specification.

While one form of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is understood that many modifications might be made in constructing devices embodying the invention without departing from the spirit position through the novel and extremely of the same or the scope of the appended claims.

hat is claimed and desired to be secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a combined bench and folding cot, lazy tong side frames, a flexible top supported by the side frames, eye bolts pivotally joining the upper end of the articulated lazy tong bars, the eyes of said bolts of one of the side frames being disposed toward the eyes of the bolts of the other of said side frames, a continuous webbing strip threaded through said eye bolts to connect the side frames in cross-laced fashion and a tension adjusting device joining the. ends of said Webbing'strip, said flexible top passing down the sides of said lazy tong frames to engage said eye bolts at their ends opposite from the ends engaging said Webbing strip.

2. In a combined bench and folding cot,

' lazy tong side frames, a flexible top, a plurality of spaced apart strips extending longitudinally of the top and reinforcing the same, said strips being secured at their ends to the end tie members of the lazy tong side frames, a reinforcing strip being stitched to said flexible top along each side respectively, said strips being stitched to the under side of the top with fullness allowed between the lines of stitch whereby when the strips lie along the upper ends of the side frames and extend doWn-Wardly along the sides thereof the weight on the topis transmitted to said stitched reinforcing strips through the inner lines of stitching.

3. In a combined bench and folding cot, lazy tong side frames, a flexible top, a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing strips extending longitudinally of the top and secured at their ends to the end tie members of the lazy tong side frames, a reinforcing strip being stitched to said flexible top along each side respectively, said strips be- 5; ing stitched to the lower side of the top with fullness allowed in the top between the lines of stitch, said top and stitched reinforcing strips extending over the tops of the lazy tong side frames to beattached thereto at the sides thereof whereby weight on the top is transmitted to the ends of the lazy tong sides through the reinforcing strip and the inner line of stitches securing the same to the top.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto afiix our signatures.

GEORGE A. LANSBERRY. LOUIS A. HARTMAN. VICTOR A. JASPERSON. 

